Loan Repayment Calculator

Disclaimer: The results from this calculator should be used as a guide only. Results do not represent either quotes or pre-qualifications for a loan.

What rate should I use?

You can use the Bank Standard Variable Rate (BSVR) of one of the major banks, less a 0.7% discount. This is a good rough guide, although it is likely that we may be able to get your a better rate than this.

However, to determine what your payments would be if interest rates were to increase, put in an interest rate around 1.5% higher than the current BSVR. This will help you figure out if you would be able to afford the loan, if rates went up.

What term should I use?

Generally most mortgages in Australia are for a 30 year term. You can choose any term you like up to 40 years, which is the maximum term offered in Australia. The shorter your term, the higher your repayments. However, the faster you pay off the loan, the less interest your will ultimately pay.

Is it better to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly?

Despite what you might have heard in the media, there is no benefit to paying weekly or fortnightly as opposed to making monthly repayments. Some lenders divide the monthly repayment by two to work out how much you would pay if you were to make fortnightly repayments. This is actually paying more than the true fortnightly repayments. If you make extra repayments then you will pay the loan off faster and will save money, this is why paying fortnightly appears to give you a benefit.

Making monthly repayments and paying more than the minimum is the most effective way to save money on your mortgage. If this is combined with an offset account you can easily reduce your interest expense without making a noticeable change to your lifestyle.

Can I pay interest only payments on a weekly basis?

The majority of lenders only allow interest only repayments to be made on a monthly basis. There are a few ways around this, however very few people choose to do this as there is no benefit in paying weekly or fortnightly if you are paying interest only.

How can I work out my borrowing capacity?

To do this, first determine how much you would feel comfortable repaying each month, then use a 1.5% higher rate than the current BSVR. This method can help you work out how much you could comfortably borrow without having to change your lifestyle or current spending habits.

This is a simplified method of working out your borrowing capacity. However, our mortgage brokers can give you a more exact figure using our software. We never recommend that you borrow to your limit as this leaves you very little surplus money to spend on holidays or to keep on stand by for unforeseen circumstances.

Speak to a mortgage broker

Our mortgage brokers are here to help you apply for a loan that suits your needs. If you are trying to minimise your loan repayments or pay off your loan as quickly as possible, we can help you develop a strategy to do so. Please enquire online or call us on 1300 889 743 for more information.